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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. While the four men are eating dinner, what does Beneditx do?

2. What is it that they find in a cave?

3. What are the men doing at the snow house?

4. What is one odd characteristic of Amara?

5. How many words can Amara speak?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sor Blancha realize Amara misses Josefa and what happens when she does?

2. How does Amara get away from the convent?

3. For what is Beneditx noted?

4. Who rescues Palinor and how did they do it?

5. How is Amara doing now and what does she gain by it?

6. What happens when Dolca comes into Palinor's room on an errand?

7. What does Severo think about as he falls asleep the first night of visiting Palinor and Beneditx?

8. What do Severo and Beneditx debate about and what are each of their views?

9. What does Severo suggest to Beneditx?

10. What does Palinor tell Beneditx about his view of the truth?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Palinor commits what we would be considered horrible sexual sin in the eyes of Grandinsula's religious people. He has sex with a boy and a girl, and then watches them have sex with each other. Dolca and Joffre don't protest, however, and they seem to enjoy the learning experience. In this case, "sin" is presented as something that can be enjoyable and uplifting rather than something destructive and hurtful.

1. Do you think the definition of a "sin" which is to say something morally wrong differs from culture to culture? Why or why not?

2. It has been debated through the ages whether everyone sees immorality as representing the same behaviors. Why do you think Palinor's definition of morality is different from Beneditx's?

3. In a culture where an institution such as the church or the government defines what are right and wrong acts who benefits from the power that control people's lives with the threat of "sin" or the definition of morality? What would be the advantage to an institution to convince people that institution was the only authority that could define right and wrong?

Essay Topic 2

Now that Beneditx has spent time with Palinor, he realizes that a man can be good without knowing God. Palinor has been nothing but kind and respectful to the people he has encountered, and he has used his time at Saracen's House to study and to make practical improvements to the grounds and for its servants.

1. Write a comparison of how Beneditx's and Palinor's relationship has changed compared to two persons from very different cultures who get to know each other well.

2. If nonbelievers can be good and believers can be bad, explain what you think creates a good or a bad person.

3. Do you think Palinor is being illogical for helping people who might put him to death? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The fiery scene that Palinor encounters, as he enters Ciudad, represents Palinor's fear of dying by fire, and his fate in hell that religious leaders believe awaits unrepentant heretics. Fire is the one connection that Palinor shares with his religious adversaries and the only thing Palinor seems to be afraid of.

1. Discuss the symbolism surrounding the scene when Palinor rides into Ciudad.

2. Discuss in detail what kind of man do you think Fra Murta is that he would have the people out on the streets with torches for Palinor to see.

3. Why is Palinor's fear of dying by fire reasonable?

(see the answer keys)

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